Some of us bargainistas forget that stealing “borrowing” garb from your loved one’s closet is the biggest budget trick in the book!  But, if you’re like me and know a thing or two about dressing on a shoestring (see my blog pennychic.com), then you know that you could potentially put a whole outfit together for free! Right, as in ZERO DOLLARS. This time, however, I’m going to borrow just one item from my mother’s closet and style it into a complete look that’s actually still available in stores. There’s nothing more annoying than seeing an outfit you love on a blog, only to learn that it’s completely one of a kind “vintage”.

Thanks to Joan Collins, if your mom was born between the years of 1940-1970, this double-breasted “power suit” blazer with shoulder pads should look familiar.  If you have a mom like mine, the jacket should be in full working condition in her closet, which for me happens to be just down the hall (one of the many upsides to living with your parents in your 20s).

As soon as I caught sight of this bright red gem, I knew I had something to work with. Big blazers, or as we call them today, “boyfriend jackets”, have made a comeback in the last couple of years. The difference though, is that nowadays we wear them casually, whereas in the 1980s, they were worn as symbols of female empowerment in the work force. Naturally, the former wearers of these blazers were totally badass, but I’d like to think our generation has its fierce moments too (exhibit A above).

Back in the day, my mom wore this bad boy with a matching red knee-length skirt.  As hot as my 3-year old self remembers her looking, I tossed the skirt and went with my own updated look.  To modernize the jacket , I styled it with a pair of $23 light wash flare jeans from Kmart and mixed it up with an ’80s inspired assortment of bangles from both Walmart and Target. For the top, I went for a simple white tee, which makes the red pop and keeps attention directed at the jacket.

With just a good eye and an open mind, a once lonely garment went from something borrowed to something new!

Images by Penny Chic